South Sudan deserves "commitment" of UN

South Sudan deserves the "commitment" of the United Nations to help rebuild the country, according to a senior member of the government there.

The country is facing an internal conflict which started in December last year, after the former Vice-President, was driven from power.

Thousands of people have died in inter-ethnic violence and a million people have fled their homes.

Speaking following the arrival of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon in the capital Juba on Tuesday, Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia said the UN has a role to play in bringing peace to South Sudan.

"The UN is the world body, the family of all the countries in the world and we are a member of it so when there is a fire burning in your neighbor's house you have to be there and we expect them to not only play a role but be engaged constantly in both bringing peace and sustainability of the peace itself, in ensuring that security is strengthened, ensuring social economic development is rejuvenated and the country returns to normalcy,. This is the role of the UN and we deserve that commitment of the UN." (31″)

The UN maintains a peace-keeping mission in the country, known as UNMISS.

Thousands of people who have fled their homes are currently accommodated at the mission’s camps.